Backpack – Look for backpacks that can adjust the distance of the hip strap and shoulder straps. This is important for younger scouts especially. Strongly encourage you get fitted. Look for minimum 65 liter. Suggest 75 if considering Philmont in the future. If you have questions you can reach out to me or an ASM familiar with backpacks.

Sleeping Pad

Pocket Knife – Recommend utility tool like a leatherman, Gerber or swiss army type. You don’t need these brands but these tools provide more uses for scouts. Remember you cannot have blades greater than 4 inches.

Compass – Silva Explorer models or similar are ideal

Flashlight – Head attached types are great. I like the ones that go on baseball hat bills but they have ones that attach with a strap too that are popular. Lightweight handheld ones are fine too.

Water Bottles – 1 Liter Nalgene are ideal for their non leaking traits but something similar is fine.